Impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on plant purchasing in Southeastern United States

Abstract

AbstractThe Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in firms and consumers quickly adjusting their shopping strategies to facilitate sales while maintaining safety recommendations. Two strategies frequently employed by plant retailers include curbside pickup and online sales/delivery. Using an online survey of Southeastern U.S. consumers, this study assessed the relationship between consumers' concerns related to the pandemic, stay‐at‐home orders, purchasing behaviors, and perceived future shopping habits. Interestingly, 57% of respondents indicated they were going to revert back to their prepandemic shopping habits after the pandemic. Respondents who had adopted online plant‐purchasing habits were less likely to revert back to their prepandemic habits, whereas respondents currently participating in the curbside pickup were more likely to go back to their prepandemic habits. Population density, income, and COVID‐19 concerns (index) also impacted postpandemic shopping habits or behavior. [EconLit Citations: Q13]